For years the Chevrolet brand has been overshadowing all the others in Pro Stock. That’s Jason Line’s Chevy Camaro (near lane) and Deric Kramer’s Dodge Dart at Indy.  (Ron Lewis photo)

Responding to a request from the teams, NHRA has announced they will allow Pro Stock racers to run any currently approved engine combination in any currently approved body during the 2018 season.

It is hoped that the change will bring more Dodge Darts and Ford Mustangs into the class, which has been dominated by Chevrolet Camaros for the last five years.

While the current version of the Dodge Dart had several users the last couple of seasons, including Allen Johnson, Deric Kramer, Alan Prusiensky, and V. Gaines, the newest version of the Mustang has yet to make its NHRA Pro Stock debut. All three brands have been running in the Factory Stock class.

“All three of the body styles – Ford, Chevy, and Dodge – are so close aerodynamically that there’s no advantage or penalty for choosing your favorite. They’re all so close its unreal,” said chassis builder Jerry Haas.

The other basic rules of the class remain. Body choice must be from a 2009 or later NHRA-accepted 2-door or 4-door coupe or sedan (domestic or foreign) production vehicle. Body, drivetrain, chassis, etc. may not be altered, modified, or relocated, except as outlined in Requirements & Specifications in the Rulebook. Minimum weight at conclusion of run: 2,350 pounds, including driver. Minimum weight on the rear axle at conclusion of run: 1,100 pounds, including driver.

The engine still must be an internal-combustion, reciprocating, naturally aspirated, single camshaft, 90-degree V-8 (i.e., cylinder bank must be at a 45-degree angle from the camshaft/crankshaft centerline, creating a combined 90-degree angle) automotive-type engine with a maximum 500 cid. Aftermarket blocks permitted if designed and cast with OEM approval, and currently accepted by NHRA.

Once an engine is used in a vehicle at an event, that engine cannot be used in another vehicle for the duration of the event. Engine shall consist short block and heads, and will be serialized or otherwise identified at each event.  [12/06/17]

Crampton (near lane) with Doug Kalitta at Charlotte this fall.  (Chris Haverly photo)

Kalitta Motorsports has announced Richie Crampton will return to the team and run for the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel Championship in the Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster.

Crampton’s Toyota Top Fuel dragster will be tuned by NHRA’s only Lifetime Achievement honoree, Connie Kalitta, and Rob Flynn. Despite starting four less races than the majority of the field, this year the duo guided Shawn Langdon to a Countdown to the Championship spot and final round appearances in Dallas and Pomona.

Crampton will run all 24 events on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing schedule, with sponsors to be announced later.   [12/06/17]

Some celebrants at this year’s Pig Roast. Note the little fellow in the red cap between the sign and the check at the front.

The Mid Atlantic .90 Series will consist of 10 events on a five-weekend double event schedule and will feature four weekends before the PC Richards or Lucas Oil Series competes at the same event the following weekend.

April 28 & 29: Northeast Shootout, Atco, NJ

May 19 & 20: Sportsman Circuit Shootout, Reading, PA

July 28 & 29: Mid-Summer Shootout, Atco, NJ

Aug. 11 & 12: Uncle Buck Pig Roast & Race, Rising Sun, MD

Sept. 22 & 23: .90 Finale, Rising Sun, MD

For more information on the series visit www.midatlantic90.com.   [12/06/17]

Mark Malcuit, 68, began his racing career in circle track and racked up several championships and carved his mark on the industry. In 1993 he suffered an off-track wreck that left him with a broken neck, effectively ending his circle track career.

So, nearly 18 years ago he began his career in drag racing. This year, he celebrates his first drag racing championship as the MagnaFuel Top Sportsman 32 World Champion in the PDRA.

“Whether I win or I lose, I always try to run fast,” the Ohio resident explained. “As it worked out, I would always be like number 17. I couldn’t run quite fast enough for the Elite 16. It worked out to my advantage. Part of my luck was that I wasn’t fast enough to make the Elite 16 and then I ended up in 32 and got some byes. Just worked out for me.”  (Gary Rowe/RaceWorks.com photo)   [12/06/17]